I'm not sure what the heck show your 2nd picture is from but K-on was made almost 5 years ago.

It's really within the past couple of years that their animation sky-rocketed. Look at Hyouka, Free!, Chunibyo. Their dedication to detail and color is breathtaking really, no matter what you think of the actual shows themselves.

I don't see at all where Kyoto Animation had anything to do with Soul Eater.

I believe he was just making an ugly face at K-On! Of course, if people that criticize KyoAni for the character designs of K-On! would stop and think for a moment that it was based on a manga with existing character designs, they might realize how stupid it is to criticize other shows that have nothing at all to do with K-On! for the character designs for a 4-panel gag manga!

As for the animation, KyoAni has always had excellent animation, going back to Clannad and Kanon, Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu and TSR, Haruhi, and more. Their animation teams are extremely good. Their background art is only equaled or surpassed by a few studios, PA Works being the most notable. It is basically a "rage against what's popular" thing. If it is moe, that must mean it is popular, so therefore it must be crap.

I have only read the prologue for the first volume of the light novel, but it got off to a good start. (And the guy translating it did one of the cleanest, most readable translations I have ever run across. It was quite impressive. I hope the quality keeps up for the rest of the translation.)

I am looking forward to this almost as much as I am looking forward to Golden Time and Nagi no Asukara.

I got to level 109 I believe, but that game is dangerous lol, I stay clear when I can.

Last I remember I wasted all my money getting to 80+ range in a short amount of time, so I think I relegated myself to free minigames and got bored quickly :/ But Runescape on top of anime would destroy my grades, so it's for the best

I think this random Youtube comment actually puts it quite well (on one of the Kyokai preview videos)...thank you random commenter, whoever you are lol. It's in response to something so missing a bit of context but the idea is there.

Amusing indeed. Especially when you consider how most people associate KyoAni with "pure moe". Has anyone forgotten that the first anime they ever made was Fullmetal Panic 2nd season? Or that they made Nichijou and Hyouka? Chu-2 anyone?

KyoAni merely codified the moe genre. This show is them going back to their action-oriented roots while splicing in what they've gained over the decade.

LMAO at the conversations while i was busy watching Index...YES it was a look of disgust to how KyoAni's characters look, not saying KyoAni had anything to do with Soul Eater (thank god). Again, love the backgrounds just the characters freak me out. Clannad, Haruhi, Tamako Market, Free!...doesn't matter old or new the characters faces just don't sit well with me. I'm more of a Bones, P.A. Works, J.C Staff, Gonzo (occasionally) type of guy i suppose. I will definitely still check this out however, although i don't how the characters look and from the trailers it looks like it's trying too hard to be "cool" with a heroine wearing hipster glasses. Can't hurt to try, right?

LMAO at the conversations while i was busy watching Index...YES it was a look of disgust to how KyoAni's characters look, not saying KyoAni had anything to do with Soul Eater (thank god). Again, love the backgrounds just the characters freak me out. Clannad, Haruhi, Tamako Market, Free!...doesn't matter old or new the characters faces just don't sit well with me. I'm more of a Bones, P.A. Works, J.C Staff, Gonzo (occasionally) type of guy i suppose. I will definitely still check this out however, although i don't how the characters look and from the trailers it looks like it's trying too hard to be "cool" with a heroine wearing hipster glasses. Can't hurt to try, right?

It really is true what they say...everyone has their own tastes...but I really just can't fathom how you could objectively think that KyoAni has bad art/animation.

It not being your thing is understandable...but I mean come on...you gotta admit. It is high class.

Okay, actually went and watched the PV's. Looks okay, I guess, but there wasn't anything that really stood out to make me really want to watch it. (I also don't understand Japanese w/out subtitles, so that may have had a bit to do with it xD).

I'll probably give it a try because, genre-wise, it is in my sweet spot, but who knows what'll happen...

Well...pausing Index...i just have to put this out there. And before i start i never said i think it has bad animation just that the characters look weird, everything else is just dandy. i don't hate moe i actually like it since it's cute. im not trying to knock what's popular doesn't matter who uses this style. i used K-on! before only as an example of how many KyoAni shows look, not saying they made those girls out to look like that since they looked the same in the manga.
Now look at this image...looks clean, crisp, vivid, bright, detailed right? They do that very well. Now what i don't like is huge the eyes are, the almost non-existent nose, and how basic the expressions are. It just comes of as non-realistic animation and to put it blunt just childish (yea, it's moe i know....but so is Love Lab and they don't look so simple-faced)
Since im on the topic of Index, why not use it? The characters are look defined, well shaded, mature animation and just plain realistic.

I think what i don't like must be that KyoAni is too bright, too colorful, too detailed. If that is what you guys are looking for, more power to you but for me, i don't like it. Again, my opinion, no requirement to follow!